Round Tower

A 15th-century fortification guarding Portsmouth's harbour entrance, offering panoramic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. The tower houses a small museum about Portsmouth's coastal defenses and provides one of the best vantage points for watching modern naval vessels enter and leave the harbour. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Portsmouth, especially paired with nearby Portsmouth Cathedral. Tickets cost £4 adult, £2 child, free for English Heritage members and 45 minutes - 1 hour is enough to see everything without rushing.

Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 45 minutes - 1 hour Best for: offers the best elevated views of portsmouth Skip if: You have mobility issues as it involves climbing steep stone steps Cost: £4 adult, £2 child, free for English Heritage members

You climb narrow stone spiral stairs to reach viewing platforms with thick medieval walls. From the top, you see the entire harbour spread below with modern warships alongside historic vessels, while the Solent stretches toward the Isle of Wight.

Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible due to steep stone stairs and narrow medieval passages

Offers the best elevated views of Portsmouth Harbor and the naval base from a genuine medieval fortification. It is not the first thing you should see in Portsmouth, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Portsmouth Cathedral and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - together they fill a solid half-day. Afternoon tends to work best here.

Skip if: You have mobility issues as it involves climbing steep stone steps

• Climb to the top for the best harbour views.
• Check tide times for optimal photography of boats.
• Combine with a walk along the harbour walls.

Insider tip: The best photos of HMS Victory and other historic ships are taken from the Round Tower's upper platform during morning light

Excellent 360-degree views, bring wide-angle lens for harbour shots, sunset photography particularly good westward